When thinking of construction materials, cement is often the first thing that comes to mind, as it’s the most common and essential. We usually focus on the types and quality of cement, but often overlook another equally important building material—Sand. Many people may not realize just how vital sand is in construction, as it directly impacts the strength and stability of a home. There are various types of sand for construction, so selecting the right sand is necessary. Knowing the properties of construction sand is necessary for making informed decisions.
Read the full blog to find the perfect sand for your project.
Different Types of Sand for Construction
Choosing the right sand is the most crucial decision to take for the strength and durability of any building project. Withvarioustypes of sand available, it’s important to understand the properties of each to choose the one best suited for your construction needs. Here, we break down the different types of sand for construction, focusing on texture, gradation, strength, and more.
River Sand:
River sand is a naturally occurring sand collected from riverbanks. It is one of the most commonly used types of sand for construction, thanks to its smooth texture and rounded particles.
- Texture: Fine and smooth, which ensures easy mixing with cement.
- Gradation: Well-graded, providing an even distribution of particle sizes.
- Strength and Durability: High durability, ideal for plastering and RCC structures.
- Particle Size/Shape: Rounded particles that improve workability.
- Suitable For: Best for plastering, concrete work, and brick masonry due to its fine texture and strength.
M-Sand (Manufactured Sand):
M-Sand is an artificial sand made by crushing granite or basalt rock. This type of sand used in construction has grown in popularity as a viable alternative to river sand, especially in regions facing sand shortages.
- Texture: Rougher than river sand, but with controlled fineness.
- Gradation: Consistent gradation, which ensures better strength.
- Strength and Durability: Superior strength, making it excellent for concrete and RCC work.
- Particle Size/Shape: Angular particles improve bonding with cement.
- Suitable For: Ideal for RCC work, concrete mixes, and blockwork due to its high strength and consistent quality.
Pit Sand:
Pit sand is sourced from deep pits dug out of the ground and is often red-orange in color. This is one of the best types of sand for constructionwhen it comes to load-bearing structures.
- Texture: Coarse and sharp, giving it strong binding properties.
- Gradation: Poorly graded, with larger particles dominating.
- Strength and Durability: High strength, suitable for heavy-duty construction.
- Particle Size/Shape: Sharp, angular particles enhance bonding and compaction.
- Suitable For: Excellent for concrete, especially in foundations, columns, and load-bearing walls.
Crushed Stone Sand:
Crushed stone sand is another artificial alternative to river sand. It is produced by crushing stones and is often preferred where there’s a shortage of natural sand. This type of sand used in construction is typically employed in high-strength concrete mixes.
- Texture: Rough and angular, providing a better grip for cement.
- Gradation: Poorly graded, requiring additional screening to meet specifications.
- Strength and Durability: High durability, making it suitable for heavy-duty construction.
- Particle Size/Shape: Angular particles that enhance bonding and stability.
- Suitable For: Best for RCC work, pavements, and high-strength concrete mixes.
Fine Sand:
Fine sand, often referred to as masonry or plaster sand, consists of smaller, finer particles. It is one of the most commonly used types of sand for plastering.
- Texture: Very fine and soft, making it easy to work with for plastering.
- Gradation: Well-graded, leading to smoother finishes.
- Strength and Durability: Moderate strength, more suitable for plastering than structural use.
- Particle Size/Shape: Tiny, rounded particles ensure a smooth surface finish.
- Suitable For: Best for plastering and pointing works due to its smooth texture.
Coarse Sand:
Coarse sand, also known as concrete sand, has larger particles and is most commonly used in construction for concreting work. This type of sand for construction is essential for creating a strong, stable concrete mix.
- Texture: Rough and coarse, which improves concrete binding.
- Gradation: Poorly graded, requiring mixing with finer sand for better workability.
- Strength and Durability: Excellent strength, making it ideal for heavy-duty structures.
- Particle Size/Shape: Larger, angular particles that contribute to a robust mix.
- Suitable For: Best for concreting, foundations, and slab work, where strength is paramount.
Desert Sand:
Though not commonly used, desert sand can be found in some regions. This type of sand used in constructionrequires careful consideration due to its finer, smooth texture.
- Texture: Fine and smooth, lacking the roughness needed for strong concrete bonding.
- Gradation: Poorly graded, requiring a mix with other sands for effective use.
- Strength and Durability: Limited strength and durability compared to other types.
- Particle Size/Shape: Tiny, round particles reduce bonding capacity.
- Suitable For: Can be mixed with other sands for non-load-bearing structures.
Related Blogs: Building with Strength: A Guide to Different Types of Concrete Structures
Expert Guidance for Choosing the Right Sand Used in Construction
Now that you’ve learned about the different types of sand through this blog, selecting the perfect sand used in construction for your specific needs requires expert guidance. Consulting with professionals or partnering with a construction company is a smart move, as they have the expertise to guide you throughout the process. One such trustedconstruction company at Kolkata is GharEka, an end-to-end partner for building your dream home. From designing to construction, GharEka ensures reliability, simplicity, and transparency. With 100+ quality checks performed by experienced architects, contractors, and engineers, they guarantee that quality is never compromised.
Conclusion
Selecting the right types of sand for construction is crucial for the success and longevity of your project. Whether it’s river sand, M-sand, or pit sand, understanding the properties of the different types of sand will ensure that you choose the one best suited for your construction needs. Sand plays a significant role in enhancing the strength and durability of the structure, so make sure to choose wisely.
FAQs:
Which sand is not good for construction?
Both the sea and desert sand does not have high compressive strength, high tensile strength etc so it cannot be used in construction activities. In addition to this, the salt in sea sand tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, bringing dampness.
Which sand is better for foundation?
Concrete sand, also known as C sand, is highly suitable for foundation work due to its exceptional compressive and flexural strengths. This makes it an excellent choice for heavy construction projects, building projects, and building foundations.
What is the quality of sand for construction?
Silt Content should be less than 3% by weight (12% by volume in 10 min) Sand should be free from Organic materials. Sand shall not contain any harmful impurities such as iron, pyrites, alkalies, salts, coal or other organic impurities.
How to check M-sand quality?
One way to check the quality of M-sand is to perform a sieve analysis. This involves passing the sand through a series of sieves of different sizes and measuring the percentage of sand that remains on each sieve.